Having Nothing, Possessing Everything

Why Wit’s End?

I like for names to have meaning, so I thought I’d begin by explaining a bit of my journey with Wit’s End. When my husband was a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, he studied in a graduate office aptly called, “Wit’s End”. I thought it was the ideal name for a place of study for students as they delved into the minutia that accompanies any type of dissertation work. While he was at his wit’s end studying, I found myself at the end of my rope for an entirely different reason. Living abroad was exciting (for the first month), but it was also lonely, humbling, and challenging for me in ways I hadn’t expected.

I figured that if I was struggling so much, I must be doing something wrong. In many ways, I viewed being at my wit’s end as a sign of weakness or failure, evidence that my life was spinning out of control. Somehow, I missed that this phrase originates from the book I hold most dear:

“23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

God brought the storm… to reveal the need…to rescue His peopleso that they would rejoice in their redemption.

Slowly I am learning that being at my wit’s end isn’t really the end of a thing, but the beginning. The end of thinking I can rescue myself is the beginning of crying out to the Lord for deliverance. The most secure place might just be at the end of my rope, clinging to Jesus, watching Him calm what I cannot control.

My weakest moments serve as faithful reminders that without God I have nothing and with Him I have everything. He speaks, He stirs, He stills, He guides. Every path chosen for me is directed towards bringing me safely home. Wit’s End is the place from which I hope to reflect, remember, and rejoice. I’m thankful you’re here and I hope you’ll pull up a chair and join me for a chat.